Truck stop polishers

I remember being with my father a long while ago, we were in Georgia at a Pilot (I think) we stopped at the blue beacon, got his truck all washed then drove over to truck parking to get something to eat, while he was locking his truck up a guy approached him saying how nice his truck was and how much better it would look polished. Dad agrees to his price, we go in to eat (everything locked in the truck btw) come out the tanks got the same faded aluminum look as they did before, go over to the passenger side he polished a small circle in the tank bout the size of a basketball and he was no where to be found. Good thing we didn't pay up front.

 

Of all the people I know, the ones who were the most giving to others have been truckers and bikers. The very ones who a lot of society frowns down on.

 

I worked for a Petro in Illinois and we had the worst scammers at night. From lot lizards to "polishers." Be careful sometimes they wait for you to pull your wallet out and then pull a knife on you. We used to chase them off the lot with wrenches all the time. Like #### roaches when you turn a light on they scatter. The worst was some techs I worked with that would hook up with the lizards. Used to make me sick. My advice when these people magically appear is to clean your truck yourself. Before you leave for the run and after the run. Never pay someone that is wondering the lot, unless they present a legit business cert or something proving they aren't some scammer.

 

Totally agree. And I'm kicking myself for falling for a scam a few months back. Was adjusting my tandems after scaling. I know what I'm doing and don't need any help, even when the slide is being stubborn. Along comes this guy (assumed driver) wearing a Jesus shirt. Well, I fell for it. He asks if I need any help. To be nice, I say not really, but sure why not.

I tell him what hole I need to go into. Moving tandems forward. He's saying don't you mean move them back? No, I need to take weight off my drives, so moving tandems forward. The lever comes out easy, I place a glove on the ground that I use when looking out the window (this shows me HOW FAR to go forward or backward) and bam! It's done first shot. He releases the arm and I lock in. Done deal.

Now the fun begins. He asks for money because he needs to get lunch and doesn't have any money. I say what the heck and offer him 3 bucks. As I'm opening my wallet he's looking in. He asks if I got any more than 3. I say no. He says well how about if I give you the 3 back and you give me the 5? Jesus shirt. Driver. Offered help. I cave in. Sucker me. Never again! SCAM!

 

How is it a scam if he asked for money,and you gave it willingly?? There is a difference between being a sucker and getting scammed. The Jesus shirt should have given it away....

 

I guess I should call them suckers instead of scammers. Just didn't want to offend anyone.

 

While back I picked up two rolls of quarters. I was wiping the old tractor down when two kids on bicycles stopped. Couldn't be more than 8, maybe 10. Must take a lot of money to wash that. I saw the wonder in their eyes. About 15 dollars I guess. The braver of the two said, the fella that owns it must make a lot of money. The other one said, he makes enough to pay this old man to wash it. My heart swelled. Boys want to see inside a real Big Rig? Looks like a palace. The brave one said, Your too old to drive something like that. Probably right Son. I squeezed out the shammy, put my towels in the plastic bucket into the side box. Well guys better get this truck home, so long. By Mister. I charged the stacks with propane, hit the lighters. Those kids will never forget visiting that old man and the rich guys truck. Don't tell them, I won't.

 

Another bit of advice to avoid being scammed by a "polisher"/"cleaner"/ect. is to ask if anyone has had work done by them lately or pictures of their work. I had many drivers willing to give references and many times I had before and after pics of my work. Many times I wouldn't even do my own advertising. Drivers would even offer to let other drivers come look at their trucks to see my work. I would even have days that I wanted to take off and would get a call asking me to come clean trucks.

I would even have my boys with me sometimes and it got so drivers would bring them gifts or treats. One of their biggest memories though was the driver hauling tractors who let them climb inside and see them.

 

World out there is nothing short of a pig pile ,

One scam after another .

Trust no one